PNG To Host Australia In Four-Match Prime Minister’s XIII Clash

Papua New Guinea will welcome Australia back to Port Moresby for the 2026 Prime Minister’s XIII, with four representative rugby league matches scheduled for Santos National Football Stadium on October 3.

The program will bring together PNG’s junior and senior national teams against their Australian counterparts, giving emerging and established players the opportunity to compete at representative level before a home crowd.

The annual fixture has become an important part of the rugby league calendar and continues to provide a sporting link between the two countries.

PNG To Host Australia In Four-Match Prime Minister’s XIII Clash

For PNG, the matches will also provide an opportunity for local players to gain further experience while playing in front of supporters at the national stadium.

2026 PRIME MINISTER’S XIII MATCH SCHEDULE

Junior Orchids vs Australian Schoolgirls
Date: October 3, 2026
Time: 9:00am
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Junior Kumuls vs Australian Schoolboys
Date: October 3, 2026
Time: 10:30am
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

PNG Orchids vs Australian Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII
Date: October 3, 2026
Time: 12:15pm
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

PNG Kumuls vs Australian Men’s Prime Minister’s XIII
Date: October 3, 2026
Time: 2:05pm
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

The four-match schedule will provide a full day of representative rugby league, beginning with the junior sides before the women’s and men’s teams take the field.

PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said the return of the Australian teams provided another opportunity to strengthen the relationship between PNG and Australia through the sport.

“The Prime Minister’s XIII has become an important fixture for both Papua New Guinea and Australia, and we are pleased to welcome our Australian counterparts once again to Port Moresby.

“Rugby league has a unique ability to bring our two countries together, and this event gives us an opportunity to showcase the passion of our people while strengthening the connection between our two rugby league communities.

“It is also an important opportunity for our players to experience representative football at home and for our supporters to see some of the emerging talent from both countries take the field at Santos National Football Stadium.”

The junior fixtures will form part of the development pathway for young Papua New Guinean players, with selections drawing from domestic competitions and established development programs.

The PNG Orchids and Kumuls will then have the opportunity to test themselves against Australian opposition in front of their home supporters.

PNGRFL chief executive officer Stanley Hondina said the Prime Minister’s XIII remained an important part of the organisation’s player development program.

“The Prime Minister’s XIII is an important part of the pathway for our players because it gives them the opportunity to step into a representative environment and test themselves against quality opposition.

“We have seen players progress through our domestic competitions and pathways into the Prime Minister’s XIII, and that is something we want to continue building.

“The inclusion of our women’s and junior teams is equally important because it gives more of our players the opportunity to experience representative football and understand what is required at the next level.”

The PNG-Australia men’s Prime Minister’s XIII fixture was first played in Port Moresby in 2005.

The women’s match was introduced in 2017, while junior representative fixtures became part of the program in 2023, extending the competition across several levels of the game.

PNGRFL said further details on the 2026 squads, coaching staff, ticketing and other arrangements would be released as preparations continue.